Transportation Secretary Duffy Doubles Down on Questions Over MTA’s Crime Strategy as Assaults Are Up 66% Since 2019

MTA has dodged Inquiries into safety measures, security information

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), on behalf of U.S. Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean P. Duffy, requested additional information from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on what actions the transit agency is taking to combat violent crime on their systems. The letter follows MTA's failure to provide adequate responses to safety concerns raised by the Department in March.

In May, the New York Post reported incidents of assault had skyrocketed to 66% when compared to 2019.

"MTA giving USDOT the runaround when New York City grapples with a dramatic uptick in subway assaults is unacceptable," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. "The innocent victims of these horrific crimes and the daily commuters who live in fear of violence deserve better. The MTA should provide us with the information we need to assess the gaps in their security strategy and safety protocols. It's time we restore order on New York's transit systems - lives are stake."

In a March 18th letter, Secretary Duffy directed Janno Lieber, MTA Chair and Chief Executive Officer, to outline what actions the New York City Transit Authority (NYCT) is taking to restore safety and regain the traveling public's trust. This includes steps to improve security for passengers and workers on NYCT subways and buses, reduce crime, and crack down on fare evasion.

On March 30th, MTA responded to the FTA's initial inquiry broadly, failing to answer specific questions related to resources allocated to deter crime and protect commuters.

FTA is now responding demanding specifics including:

• What criteria have NYCT established to select safety risk mitigations that have the highest probability of reducing safety risk;
  
• What metrics has the agency established to measure effectiveness of safety risk mitigations once they have been implemented;
  
• What percentage of cameras are in working order and how long recordings are maintained; and
  
• Whether the agency is considering revising rolling stock design requirements to require all new train cars to be equipped with open gangways that prevent access to the outside of train cars.

Read the full letter HERE.